Facts

PODCAST

Audio podcast of the Editorial Board's full interview with Jack R. Myers, Ronald D. Rushing and Kelli Stargel, candidates for state Senate District 15. Time: 1:10:04.

The district, which was redrawn by the Legislature during reapportionment this year, is essentially the seat state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, is leaving because she has reached her term limit.

On Aug. 14, only Republican voters who live in the district will be allowed to choose between the candidates: Jack R. Myers, Ronald D. Rushing and Kelli Stargel.

State senators serve four-year terms. They are limited to two terms.

Myers, 54, is a Realtor in Auburndale, where he resides and is mayor. Myers has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Florida Southern College.

Rushing, 49, is founder and CTO of Channel Parity of Windermere, where he resides. Rushing has a Master of Science degree in computer engineering from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida.

Stargel, 46, is the state representative for District 64 — elected in 2008 and finishing her second term — and an investment-property manager. She is a resident of Lakeland and attended Tallahassee Community College.

ASPIRATIONS

The economy and “the situation in Tallahassee” are his focal points, Myers said. “Deep down, my desire has always been to run for the state Senate. The reason being is that the state Senate has always been a body of more freer thinkers — a smaller body — and you can represent your constituents and not get your legs cut out from under you, if you know what I'm talking about, in Tallahassee.”

Getting people more involved as a way of fixing what is wrong with politics is one of his goals, Rushing said. “Our Founding Fathers had it right — their vision that people from all walks of life could go up and serve a short time, and then return home.” He said he is putting his name forward to serve a single term and “come home and inspire other people” to do likewise.

Ensuring that Florida is welcoming to residents and families is a priority, Stargel said. “I want to keep the state of Florida a place that we can all live and be able to afford a house, and get a good education for our children — and keep the lifestyle I've known and loved as a sixth-generation Floridian.”

HIGHER-EDUCATION FUNDING, TUITION

Asked her position on higher-education funding and tuition, Stargel said, “We've had several studies that have shown that Florida is a very good bargain for what we pay for our higher education and what our students are receiving, especially the University of Florida right now — and I'm a Seminole fan — but the University of Florida is one of the ARWU universities and one of cheapest ones in the United States.” She said she supports scholarships for those who cannot afford higher education, and Florida education is good and “a bargain.”

“We all know that the universities are going to raise the rate, maybe 15 percent for each one,” Rushing said. “And, so, if we keep going down that path, all of a sudden Florida won't be such a great bargain. I know the cost of UCF has skyrocketed since I graduated from UCF.”

“I don't believe they're strapped for cash. I believe there are plenty of reserves there,” Myers said. “I agreed with spending down some of the reserves at the state universities as a one-time gap was appropriate.”

Considering Myers' time as a Polk County commissioner and his position as Auburndale mayor, his positions are thinly stated and disjointed. Rushing understands the issues well, however, his first-time election campaign and citizen-legislator effort would be better suited to the state House of Representatives with its two-year terms. Stargel's grasp of some important issues is not as deep as might be expected, but she has a thorough understanding of state government, and has served in the House in a straightforward-and-responsive manner. As such, The Ledger recommends Kelli Stargel, state Senate District 15.

[ Note: A full audio podcast and a “One Tough Question” video excerpt of the Editorial Board's candidate interview accompany this editorial at TheLedger.com/podcast. The audio and video will play on a personal computer. Or download the podcasts free at the iTunes Store for use on an iPod or similar player; search: Ledger Editorial. ]

<p>Three Republican candidates are competing in the Aug. 14 primary election to face Democratic candidate Stego Blue for the state Senate District 15 seat in the Nov. 6 general election.</p><p>The district, which was redrawn by the Legislature during reapportionment this year, is essentially the seat state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, is leaving because she has reached her term limit.</p><p>On Aug. 14, only Republican voters who live in the district will be allowed to choose between the candidates: Jack R. Myers, Ronald D. Rushing and Kelli Stargel.</p><p>State senators serve four-year terms. They are limited to two terms.</p><p>Myers, 54, is a Realtor in Auburndale, where he resides and is mayor. Myers has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Florida Southern College.</p><p>Rushing, 49, is founder and CTO of Channel Parity of Windermere, where he resides. Rushing has a Master of Science degree in computer engineering from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida.</p><p>Stargel, 46, is the state representative for District 64 — elected in 2008 and finishing her second term — and an investment-property manager. She is a resident of Lakeland and attended Tallahassee Community College.</p><p><b>ASPIRATIONS</b></p><p>The economy and “the situation in Tallahassee” are his focal points, Myers said. “Deep down, my desire has always been to run for the state Senate. The reason being is that the state Senate has always been a body of more freer thinkers — a smaller body — and you can represent your constituents and not get your legs cut out from under you, if you know what I'm talking about, in Tallahassee.”</p><p>Getting people more involved as a way of fixing what is wrong with politics is one of his goals, Rushing said. “Our Founding Fathers had it right — their vision that people from all walks of life could go up and serve a short time, and then return home.” He said he is putting his name forward to serve a single term and “come home and inspire other people” to do likewise.</p><p>Ensuring that Florida is welcoming to residents and families is a priority, Stargel said. “I want to keep the state of Florida a place that we can all live and be able to afford a house, and get a good education for our children — and keep the lifestyle I've known and loved as a sixth-generation Floridian.”</p><p><b>HIGHER-EDUCATION FUNDING, TUITION</b></p><p>Asked her position on higher-education funding and tuition, Stargel said, “We've had several studies that have shown that Florida is a very good bargain for what we pay for our higher education and what our students are receiving, especially the University of Florida right now — and I'm a Seminole fan — but the University of Florida is one of the ARWU universities and one of cheapest ones in the United States.” She said she supports scholarships for those who cannot afford higher education, and Florida education is good and “a bargain.”</p><p>“We all know that the universities are going to raise the rate, maybe 15 percent for each one,” Rushing said. “And, so, if we keep going down that path, all of a sudden Florida won't be such a great bargain. I know the cost of UCF has skyrocketed since I graduated from UCF.”</p><p>“I don't believe they're strapped for cash. I believe there are plenty of reserves there,” Myers said. “I agreed with spending down some of the reserves at the state universities as a one-time gap was appropriate.”</p><p>Considering Myers' time as a Polk County commissioner and his position as Auburndale mayor, his positions are thinly stated and disjointed. Rushing understands the issues well, however, his first-time election campaign and citizen-legislator effort would be better suited to the state House of Representatives with its two-year terms. Stargel's grasp of some important issues is not as deep as might be expected, but she has a thorough understanding of state government, and has served in the House in a straightforward-and-responsive manner. As such, The Ledger recommends <b>Kelli Stargel</b>, state Senate District 15.</p><p>[ Note: A full audio podcast and a “One Tough Question” video excerpt of the Editorial Board's candidate interview accompany this editorial at TheLedger.com/podcast. The audio and video will play on a personal computer. Or download the podcasts free at the iTunes Store for use on an iPod or similar player; search: Ledger Editorial. ]</p>